Archive for February, 2009
When I was a child I remember my grandmother’s famous family meals. She used bay leaves to make delicious and memorable stews and sauces.
I remember her kitchen and the scent of the super spaghetti sauce which had been simmering on the stove top for 3 -4 hours. She was so proud of her “secret” which she quietly shared with me when nobody else was around. She would place just 3 to 4 dried bay leaves in the homemade sauce and let them simmer. She taught me that it takes quite awhile for the pungent bay leaf flavor to permeate the food, so to”be sure to keep the bay leaves in the sauce to simmer for a couple hours or more.” Then, before pouring the sauce in a bowl, she reminded me to always take out the bay leaves before serving since the leaves taste too bitter to eat. I will never forget that familiar, soothing aroma of the meals my grandmother had cooked with love and tender care for our family. Early in my life I learned the importance of cooking with bay leaves in order to make successful meals.
Bay leaves are picked from the sweet bay tree, also known as the Laurus Nobilis, which is indigenous to the Mediterranean countries and Turkey. There is also a type of sweet bay tree which grows in California. It is actually from the evergreen family.
Not only is this herb great for cooking but it is used as a roach repellent in certain countries. I use it as a flea repellent. Before my cat goes outside the house, I tape a couple of bay leaves to his fur and my cat never ever comes back with fleas. I avoid using expensive and toxic chemical repellents, thanks to the bay leaf! The cat is happier too.
The leaf of the sweet bay tree is 2% essential oil. Cineole is the major component. It is in the same family as the avocado and cinnamon. It keeps stomach flatulence under control. Bay leaves taste good and keeps insects away.
Damiana is a flowering shrub that is native to Mexico, South and Central America. It produces a small, fragrant yellow flower. It is very fragrant and it blooms in late summer. After the blooms fall off, fruit appears which tastes similar to figs. There is an oil present in the plant which gives the damiana shrub an odor similar to chamomille. The leaves have traditionally been made into a tea which was used by native Central and South Americans for its aphrodisiac effects. Spanish missionaries recorded that the Mexican Indians drank sweetened Damiana tea for its ability make lovemaking more pleasurable.
Damaina is also one of the main ingredients in a traditional Mexican liqueur, which is sometimes used in the place of Triple Sec when mixing margaritas. The Damiana margarita is popular in the Los Cabos region of Mexico. This herb can also be smoked for recreational purposes; it has a synergistic effect when smoked with passionflower which is said to be extremely relaxing and promotes lucid dreaming. It has been included as an ingredient in herbal cigarettes.
Aside from being used for recreation and pleasure, it has also been found to have medicinal properties. This herbal supplement, usually used in the form of a tea, is used to treat many conditions:
- constipation
- Lou Gehrig’s diesease
- depression
- Fibromyalgia
- emphysema
- hot flashes
- infertility
- frigidity
- Parkinson’s disease
- prostrate gland inflammation
- impotency
- PMS
- low energy
- low estrogen
Damiana
contains a powerful glycoside called arbutin which is converted to a chemical called hydroquinone in the urinary tract. In large amounts, hydroquinone can lead to nausea, vomitting, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), convulsions, and eventually cause collapse and posible death. There has not been a maximum safe dose of damiana established yet. Therefore, this herb should be taken in small increments, and with great caution. Pregnant women should avoid this herb at all costs as it could cause possible harm to a growing fetus.
Cinnamon is a tasty and popular spice. It has a rich, aromatic taste and our grandmothers have used it to bake coffee cakes, breakfast buns and cinnamon toast. It comes in powdered form, as a soothing oil and as cinnamon bark
.
In a small study, it was shown that taking 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls per day of cinnamon per day lowers sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol. It can be sprinkled over fresh fruit and put into tea to enhance the flavor. Cinnamon is one of the world’s healthiest herbs and most children love the taste of it.
Cinnamon contains many phytochemicals, some of which are tannin, beta-carotine and ellagic acid. Valuable nutrients found in cinnamon are numerous:
- calcium
- iron
- chromium
- copper
- iodine
- manganese
- magnesium
- potassium
- zinc
- vitamins B1,B2,B3 and C
Cinnamon, for use in cooking is extracted from the cinnamon bark of the tree. Besides controlling sugar diabetes, this spice is also used to treat the following disorders:
- relieves diarrhea and nausea
- counteracts congestion
- warms the body and helps speed up the metabolism of fats, aiding digestion
- fights fungal infections
- helps in weight loss, yeast infections and uterine hemorrhaging
Be careful: it should not be taken in large amounts during pregnancy. Always use in moderation and never in large amounts on a continuous basis.
Celery seed comes from the parsely family in the same genus and species from which the celery plant is classified. It grows primarily in France and India.
Celery seed is useful in cooking for adding celery flavor to food when crunching and chewing on the vegetable is not desirable. It gives a wholesome zestful taste to soups, salad dressings and other foods.
It has been used in Ayuervedic medicine for thousands of years, but is not well known to the western hemisphere as a medicinal product. Celery seed is used primarily as a diuretic (to help urine flow to rid the body of excess fluid). Celery seed is also suggested for treating the following medical conditions:
- to reduce muscle spasms
- to calm the nerves
- to reduce inflammation
- to treat arthritis and gout
There are no scientific studies in humans that show whether celery seed is effective for these conditions. There have been findings in studies, however, that show celery seed is successful as a mosquito repellent. A few animal studies suggest that celery seed may be helpful in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol as well as protect the the liver from from substances such as acetominophen (Tylenol), which are harmful to the liver in repeated dosages.
Preliminary studies with mice have shown that celery seed may prevent the formation of tumors. Celery seed is made of the following healthy plant substances:
- linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid)
- coumarins (chemical compunds that help thin the blood)
- flavinoids (plant pigmens with antioxidant effects that may protect cells from damage)
Do not eat celery seed if you are pregnant, taking anti-coagulants (blood thinning pills) or if you are taking diuretics (water pills). The interactions with this medication could be dangerous. Always discuss herb usage with you doctor first and foremost.
Bel leaves come from the Wood Apple of Bel Fruit. This fruit tree is native to India and is also found in parts of Sri Lanka and Thailand. The leaves of the bel fruit tree is also known as monkey fruit, wood apple and elephant apple because it is the favorite fruit of elephants. The fruit grows in a hardened wooden shell; thus, the name wood apple.
The bel leaves have many medicinal properties, mainly due to the tannin that is present in the fruit. It is also a good source of beta-carotene and is good for liver problems. They also contain thiamine and riboflavin. The many health benefits of the bel fruit and the bel leaves are as follows:
- Effective for ear ache relief.
- Energy booster – it has very few calories.
- Provides relief from kidney problems.
- Cures snakebites – in Ayurvedic medicine all parts of the bel fruit is effective in treatment of snakebites.
- Prevents scurvy – is a rich source of vitamin C (vitamin C deficiencies can cause scury).
- Counteracts diabetes by reducing the severity of this illness.
- Relieves respiratory problems – responsible for curing chronic cough and sore throat which leads to respiratory ailments.
- Cleanses blood – recommended for blood purification as a tea or a drink.
- Digestive Aid – it helps to destroy worms in the intestines and the tanin in the bel leaves reduces inflammation, thus helping to alleviate ulcers. The laxative properties of the bel leaves and fruit helps prevent constipation.
The fruit of the bel tree 
is very sour to taste and makes good chutney. Some people eat the bel leaves raw and other use the leaves in salad. Beware that excessive use of the bel leaves causes abdominal flatulence. Those with gastric troubles should consume this plant in moderation.
Licorice root has an ancient history and is still used around the world as a traditional herbal remedy. In Japan it is used widely in the treatment of cirrhosis and hepatitis. Much of the contemporary research has discovered that licorice root has a positive effect on the liver and endocrine system.
Glycyrrhizin, a glycoside found in the licorice root, has positive effects on the human body. The triterpenes of Glycyrrhizin are similar to the adrenal cortex hormones when metabolized. The Glycyrrhizin also inhibits liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride,benzene hexachloride and PCB. The Glycyrrhizin in the licorice root also inhibits the growth of DNA and RNA viruses, possibly through the production of interleukin.
Licorice root is used in traditional medicine to treat the following disorders:
- gastritis
- peptic ulcers
- abdominal cholic
- bronchitis
- cough relief
- relief from sore throat
The flavinoids in licorice root kill bacteria that causes stomach inflammation and ulcers. This bacteria is named Heliobacter pylori.
For treatment of sore throat, chew on a peice of licore root or drink as a soothing, aromatic tea. Avoid licorice if you are pregnant or suffer from high blood pressure or kidney disease.
Bentonite powder is a white clay which comes directly from the earth. It is nature’s remedy to absorb excess scalp and facial oils. It reduces facial shine and it thickens lotions to suspend makeup pigments.
Bentonite powder 
has been used for the past thousand years by many civilizations. It can be mixed with water and liquid glycerin to make soaps and facial masks. It is also used as a shaving soap and, as a facial mask, it works to draw impurities out of skin pores. It can be mixed with fragrant herbs to make a soothing body powder. Bentonite powder is a natural alternative to expensive, high-end facial cleansers.
Here is a simple recipe for a lavender body talc made with bentonite:
- Grind up leaves of a lavender bud into very fine particles.
- Mix together 1 C. bentonite powder with 1 C. cornstarch in a small bowl.
- Add the lavender leaves and a small amount (2-3 drops) of lavender essential oil.
- Let the mixture sit in the bowl for a few hours and then transfer to a shaker jar.
Anise is a grayish-brown , oval shaped seed from a plant originally native to the Middle East. It was first cultivated in Egypt and then by the Greeks. It has been used as a flavoring and as a medicine for many centuries. It was grown in the New World as a medicinal crop and the ancient Romans used anise to aid digestion and to ward off epileptic attacks. Anise seed tastes like black licorice; one usually loves it or hates it. It is consumed as a tea and it is used to flavor cakes, breads, cookies, friut, sauces and pickles. It is also used to flavor popular liquers such as Sambuca or Ouzo.
At present time, anise seed is powerful and it is being used for the following health purposes:
- As an expectorant to clear up hacking coughs.
- As an aid for digestion.
- To enhance mild production.
- To help relieve menopausal symptoms.
- To alleviate mucous infections.
It is the chemical constituents in anise seed 
that give it healing potential:
- Essential oil (anethole, estragol, and methyl chavicol)
- Fatty acids
- Furano-coumarins
- Flavonoid glycosides
- Phytoestrogens
- Starch
- Protein
- Choline
- Mucilage
It is important not to take anise seed in any form when taking iron supplements or blood thinners such as Coumadin and Wafarin, etc… Of course, avoid anise seed if you have allergic or inflammatory skin conditions.
Agave nectar is made from the same plant from which tequilla is produced. It is the blue agave plant which thrives in the rich volcanic soil of southern Mexico. Agaves are very large, spike-like, succulent plants, similar to the cactus and yucca; just like the aloe vera plant.
The Aztecs considered agave nectar a gift from the gods and used it to heal wounds and to sweeten their food. They called the liquid (excreted from the core of the plant) aguamiel or “honey water.” Nowadays, the plant cannot be harvested until it becomes at least 7 to 10 years old.
Agave nectar tastes similar to honey but it is not as strong tasting as honey. In fact, people who do not like the taste of honey seem to prefer agave as a sweetener instead. Unlike honey, agave nectar never solidifies; it always remains in a liquid form. Honey should never be given to babies under one year of age because there is danger of botulism which can be lethal to the baby. However, babies younger than one year old can consume agave nectar freely, as there is no danger of botulism from agave.
Agave nectar has a lower glycemic index than honey, corn syrup, sugar or brown rice syrup. That means you can take agave nectar and not get the sugar rush or sudden drop in blood sugar that one gets with other sweeteners. For example, the glycemic index of honey is usually btween 65 – 80 (very high). But the glycemic index of agave nectar is be
tween 11 – 30, which is much safer. Foods that raise blood sugar triggers the release of insulin, which is a hormone. Chronically high blood sugar and insulin levels can result in the following metabolic disorders:
- insulin resistant diabetes with type II diabetic symptoms
- obesity and weight gain in the abdomen
- elevated levels of triglycerides and cholesterol
- high blood pressure
Everybody who wants to stay healthy should use agave nectar as the healthier alternative to avoid the metabolic illnesses described.
Squeezed from its seeds of the same name, sesame oil is being used successfully in alternative medicine. Though not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sesame oil has been found to lower high blood pressure in laboratory rats. While there is not enough substantial research on the medicinal properties of sesame oil, several health benefits have been attributed to this amazing substance.
Due to its high levels of vitamin E, it has been correlated with reducing cholesterol levels. Sesame oil has a multitude of minerals and vitamins which are necessary for healthy functioning:
- B6
- iron
- zinc (promotes good bone health)
- copper (provides relief of theumatoid arthritis)
- magnesium (supports vascular and respiratory health)
- calcium (helps prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis, migraine headaches and PMS)
Because of its high potency of omega -6 fatty acids, otherwise known as polyunstaurated fats, sesame oil may help to reduce and regulate high blood pressure, thus lowering cholesterol. Since it contains two naturally occurring preservatives, sesamin and sesamol, it does not need to be kept cold, like other omega-6 oils; a unique characteristic indeed. Sesame oil is used as a laxative, as a toothache and gum remedy, in treatment of headache, blurred vision and dizziness, for restoring moisture to skin, making it soft and young-looking, to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, to increase blood circulation, to restore energy and to slow down the aging process, promoting longevity.
Sesame oil can be used topically (massaged onto skin) or taken internally.
The following precautions should be taken very seriously:
- use sesame oil sparingly for children, pregnant or breast feeding mothers or people with kidnedy disease.
- no more than 10% of a person’s total daily caloric intake should be from polyunsaturated fats (such as those found in sesame oil).
- persons with diarrhea should avoid taking sesame oil completely.
- avoid massage with sesame oil immediately after an enema.
- anybody having a peanut allergy should avoid sesame oil altogether, (topically or internally); anyone with a peanut allergy is highly susceptible to being allergic to sesame oil and could go into anaphylactic shock, possibly resulting in sudden death.